Despite being delisted in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online services remain active, much to the delight of its players. A recent community manager statement confirmed server restarts following player reports of inaccessible features, demonstrating Playground Games' ongoing commitment to maintaining online functionality. This contrasts with the permanent shutdown of online services for Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 after their delistings.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen continued success, culminating in the recent release of Forza Horizon 5. While Forza Horizon 5's omission from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024 sparked some controversy, its over 40 million players since its 2021 launch speak volumes about its popularity. This success follows the delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player count since 2018.
A Reddit post expressing concern about the potential end of Forza Horizon 3's online services prompted a reassuring response from Playground Games' senior community manager. The manager confirmed server reboots, addressing player issues and highlighting increased post-reboot traffic. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status, which removed it from the Microsoft Store, had fueled these concerns.
The swift and positive response to player anxieties regarding Forza Horizon 3 stands in contrast to past experiences. The continued support for Forza Horizon 3's online features underscores Playground Games' dedication to its player base. Meanwhile, Forza Horizon 5 continues to thrive, setting a new benchmark for the franchise and fueling anticipation for the speculated Forza Horizon 6, potentially featuring a long-requested Japan setting.
